40 patients escape from Kenya's only public psychiatric facility. Nine patients have been returned. Some 70 male patients overpowered the guards at the hospital and that 40 managed to escape Sunday.

ByTom Odula, Associated PressMay 13, 2013

Nairobi, Kenya — Kenya police on Monday searched for 31 mentally ill patients who escaped from the country's only public psychiatric facility.

Samuel Anampiu, the police chief in charge of the area where Mathari Mental Hospital sits, said that about 70 male patients overpowered the guards at the hospital and that 40 managed to escape Sunday morning.

Nine of them have since been brought back by parents and guardians, according to hospital medical superintendent Dr. Kisivuli Azenga.